Winston’s touchdown pass to Benjamin with 13 seconds left erased a 21-3 first half deficit
Frantic Seminole fans watched a drive that began with 1:19 left, which ended with time to spare and a breath of fresh air.
Redshirt freshman quarterback Jameis Winston’s two-yard touchdown pass to Kelvin Benjamin with 13 seconds left, helped top-ranked Florida State rally from a 21-3 first-half deficit, to beat No. 2 ranked Auburn 34-31 on Monday night in the BCS Championship game.
14 years removed from a national championship, the Seminoles (14-0) marched 80 yards in 12 plays, ignited by Winston’s 10-yard pass to junior receiver Rashad Greene, which turned into a 49-yard gain. Greene wiggled his way free from a Tiger defender and raced down inside the Auburn’s 25 yard line.
Noles’ Coach Jimbo Fisher called it Winston’s best game because he fought hard despite struggling through the first three quarters of the game.
A few plays later, a pass interference call against Tigers defensive back Chris Davis gave Florida State a first down at the two-yard line.
After a pair of plays, Winston, the Heisman Trophy winner, lofted the winning touchdown pass high to Benjamin as he did all season. Benjamin, 6’5”, went airborne to make the acrobatic catch in the end zone with defenders surrounding him.
Winston finished 20-of-35 for 237 yards and two touchdowns.
It’s the way they wanted the season to end, explained Winston.
Kermit Whitfield’s 100-yard kickoff return put Florida State up 27-24, and ultimately served as the springboard to its victory.
Auburn (12-2) regained the lead on Tre Mason’s 37-yard touchdown run from scrimmage with 1:19 left. He took a handoff up the middle, cut right and shook off a pair of would-be tacklers on his way to the end zone.
Mason rushed for 195 yards on 34 carries with two touchdowns and Nick Marshall threw for 217 yards on 14-of-27 attempts with two touchdowns and an interception. He also added 45 yards on the ground and a score.
Then the clincher. Greene’s spectacular catch and run which setup the winning drive inside Auburn’s territory at the 25. With 13 seconds left, Winston tossed a pass high enough that only Benjamin could get to.